An 11th grader brings technology to canine care
During a trek last year, Anshul Bhatt realised that the family's eleven-and-a-half-year-old Labrador, Max, was in severe discomfort. While he would normally be running about in the wild, never refusing a dip in a pool of water, he now sat licking his paws in pain. A visit to the vet revealed late-stage arthritis.
'Since it wasn't diagnosed in time, the treatment is less effective. You can alleviate the pain and make dietary changes, but there isn't much you can do beyond a point," says Bhatt, 16, a class XI student at Dhirubhai Ambani International School, Mumbai.
The incident got him thinking. By the end of the year, he arrived at the design for PawPath, a non-invasive gait monitoring device that detects orthopaedic and neurodegenerative diseases in canines. It won him second position in the Animal Sciences category at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair Awards ( for students) in the US in May.
During the early days, Bhatt reached out to vets to understand the current methods being used to study different ailments based on dog gait. Visual clues are the most basic form of detection where a vet physically inspects a dog. The other two require an expensive indoor setup—while kinetic gait analysis studies movement using force plates, kinematic analysis utilises a high-end camera to capture a dog's movement, usually on a treadmill. This would typically be followed by an X-ray while sedated to detect various abnormalities from orthopaedic and neurodegenerative disorders to cruciate ligament tears, osteoarthritis and ataxia.
'From my research, I realised that dogs exhibit altered movement patterns when they are in a lab-based setup since it is not their natural environment. As a result, it may look like they have an issue when there may be none. I started looking at ways to eliminate the subjectivity of visual analysis and to also do it in a way where the dog was comfortable, where the entire process was cost-effective," Bhatt says.
At the heart of his design are inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors, which are strapped on to each limb to capture motion. The first prototype, which took two months to build, featured a central module that gathered data from the four IMUs and transmitted it via Bluetooth. But besides the weight of the entire system, Bhatt realised that the wires were hampering the dog's mobility, both resulting in altered movement patterns.
So, he went wireless with his next prototype that used a WiFi- controlled microcontroller to livestream data. Before strapping it on dogs, he tested it out on a Theo Jansen mechanism that simulated dog gait and captured linear acceleration and angular velocity to verify the accuracy of the sensors. It also allowed him to understand the right placement of the sensors. He wrote an algorithm that would eliminate noise to provide high-quality data and utilised a filter to capture just the linear acceleration, independent of gravity. The cost of the kit is about ₹5,000.
'There were other issues I had to address on the go. For instance, I got a lot of data initially which I attributed to the dog's gait, but which was due to a wobbly sensor. Then, I had to ensure that I was capturing data only when the healthy and unhealthy dogs were moving at the same pace, which would allow for a proper comparison to be made with respect to their gaits," he says.
Once satisfied with the testing, he started collecting data over several months from different breeds of healthy dogs as well as those that suffered from a condition. He then trained Long Short Term Memory neural networks to recognise patterns in the gait and detect anomalies. Along the way, he had to constantly upgrade his skills, everything from understanding dog anatomy to experimenting with different neural networks.
'It's an interdisciplinary project because the sensor is all physics, the movement of the dog is all biology, the artificial intelligence is all maths and then there's the electronics involved. So getting all of these components to work together was quite a challenge, a lot of trial and error at the beginning that was quite frustrating," he says.
Bhatt made a couple of visits to the Biomechanics, Orthopaedics and Musculoskeletal Engineering (BiOME) lab at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay to discuss his creation further.
'PawPath is a great example of how wearable sensors can be translated into real-world veterinary diagnostics. Its current application in characterising canine gait showcases its on-field deployability and is a quintessential example of potential scalable technology, which could marry concepts in biomechanics and artificial intelligence with a strong clinical relevance," says Darshan S Shah, assistant professor and head of BiOME.
The eureka moment arrived when Bhatt tested PawPath on a dog, where the output suggested that it had a high probability of arthritis. He reached out to the vet who confirmed his finding.
Bhatt has been able to achieve high accuracy in disease classification across various breeds. The results alongside the award is validation for his efforts.
In the time ahead, he wants to refine his product further to improve its utility. A smaller device will allow it to be used on smaller breeds. A longer battery life will give owners the opportunity to continuously monitor their pets even while they are away to understand behavioural changes or receive alerts in case of falls or injuries. Besides, it can also be used to track injuries in wild animals based on their movement patterns.
'I want to eventually use AI models to look at data from this device, analyse it and then hand out a simple explanation in English or Hindi on what the problem is. This can be a valuable tool for vets to make better decisions," he says.
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During a trek last year, Anshul Bhatt realised that the family's eleven-and-a-half-year-old Labrador, Max, was in severe discomfort. While he would normally be running about in the wild, never refusing a dip in a pool of water, he now sat licking his paws in pain. A visit to the vet revealed late-stage arthritis. 'Since it wasn't diagnosed in time, the treatment is less effective. You can alleviate the pain and make dietary changes, but there isn't much you can do beyond a point," says Bhatt, 16, a class XI student at Dhirubhai Ambani International School, Mumbai. The incident got him thinking. By the end of the year, he arrived at the design for PawPath, a non-invasive gait monitoring device that detects orthopaedic and neurodegenerative diseases in canines. It won him second position in the Animal Sciences category at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair Awards ( for students) in the US in May. 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Along the way, he had to constantly upgrade his skills, everything from understanding dog anatomy to experimenting with different neural networks. 'It's an interdisciplinary project because the sensor is all physics, the movement of the dog is all biology, the artificial intelligence is all maths and then there's the electronics involved. So getting all of these components to work together was quite a challenge, a lot of trial and error at the beginning that was quite frustrating," he says. Bhatt made a couple of visits to the Biomechanics, Orthopaedics and Musculoskeletal Engineering (BiOME) lab at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay to discuss his creation further. 'PawPath is a great example of how wearable sensors can be translated into real-world veterinary diagnostics. 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The Cockatoo WP-200 offers a smooth workout with its 1.5HP continuous (3HP peak) DC motor, which makes this perfect for walking or jogging up to 8 km/hr. Designed for user convenience, this best treadmill for home use boasts a compact 380mm x 950mm running surface and a sturdy build. It supports a user weight of up to 110kg for walking and it comes with a comprehensive warranty for peace of mind. Customers' reactions: Customers found it exceptional on the performance front, easy to install within 30 minutes, and an excellent value for daily home use. They appreciated the portability and solid construction of this best treadmill for home despite some differing opinions on noise and space-saving. Loading Suggestions... LLTM09AD, which is equipped with a quiet 4HP peak copper-wound DC motor. This treadmill for home workout offers Bluetooth connectivity for integrated stereo speakers, eliminating the need for cables. 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The Sparnod Fitness STH-1250 is designed for convenient home workouts, featuring a quiet 2.5 HP continuous (4 HP peak) DC motor and a speed range of 1-12 km/h. Its compact 44" x 16" running surface and foldable design with transportation wheels make it ideal for small spaces. The treadmill includes heart rate sensors, hi-fi speakers, and 12 preset programs for varied training. Customers' reactions: Customers found this treadmill for home well-built and easy to install, perfect for daily walking and jogging. They praised the smooth speed performance and compact fit of this best treadmill for home use. though some report sound quality issues. Loading Suggestions... Achieve your fitness goals with the Fitkit by Cult FT200M, which is powered by a 4.5HP peak DC motor and offers speeds up to 16 km/hr with 15 levels of auto-incline. 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Loading Suggestions... Experience efficient and quiet workouts with the Fitkit by Cult PowerRun-96, which features a durable 4.5HP peak BLDC motor. Its robust design supports up to 110kg, offering a spacious 40cm x 110cm running area for comfort. The hydraulic folding system ensures easy storage, while 12 preset programs, 3 manual incline levels, and a speed range of 1.0-12.8 km/hr provide customisable training. Customers' reactions: Customers commended its solid performance, ease of installation, and excellent build quality. They found it perfect for home gym use with a powerful motor, and appreciated the diet plan. However, the noise level received mixed reactions. Top features of the best treadmills for home use: Best treadmills for home use Max user weight (kg) Warranty Max speed (km/hr) PowerMax Fitness TDM-96 (4HP Peak) 110 Not explicitly stated in the description, but Powermax generally offers 1-year parts and labor, with some models exceeding to 3 and 5-year warranties for parts/motor. Customer reviews for PowerMax generally suggest a standard warranty (unspecified for this model). 12 Cockatoo WP-200 1.5HP - 3HP Peak Motorized Treadmill 110 (for walking) 1-Year Motor Warranty, 1-Year Parts Warranty, 3-Year Frame Warranty 8 Lifelong FitPro LLTM09AD 4HP Peak Motorized Treadmill 110 2-Yr Motor Warranty (other warranty details not specified, but typically includes frame and parts). 12 MAXPRO PTM405M 4.5 HP Peak DC Motor Multifunction Folding Treadmill 110 1 Year Motor Warranty, 1 Year Part Warranty, Life time Frame Warranty 14 PowerMax Fitness TD-A1 6HP Motorised Foldable Treadmill 120 Not explicitly stated in the description, but Powermax generally offers 1-year parts and labor, with some models exceeding to 3 and 5-year warranties for parts/motor. 14 Sparnod Fitness STH-1250 Treadmill 110 1-year brand warranty against part failures and manufacturing defects (details on motor/frame not explicitly broken down). 12 Fitkit by Cult FT200M 4.5HP Peak Treadmill 110 1 Year warranty on Motor and Manufacturing Defect, 3 Year Warranty on Frame. 16 Lifelong FitPro Motorized Treadmill (4HP Peak) (LLTM033) 100 Not explicitly stated in the description (customer reviews mention good build quality, but no warranty details provided for this specific model). 14 Durafit Panther Multifunction \ 5.5 HP Peak DC Motorized Treadmill 130 1-year manufacturer warranty (general, specific parts not broken down). Fitkit by Cult PowerRun-96 BLDC Motor Treadmill 110 1-year warranty against manufacturing defects & electronic parts, only if used with a stabilizer (1000 VA recommended). (Details on frame/motor warranty beyond 1 year for manufacturing defect not explicitly specified for this model). 12.8 How to choose the best treadmill for home use? 1. Space and size: Measure your available space and look for compact or foldable treadmills if you are short on room. 2. Motor power: Choose the best treadmill in India that comes with at least 2.5 HP for smooth, quiet operation. It is ideal for walking, jogging, or light running at home. 3. Weight capacity: Ensure the best treadmill supports your body weight comfortably, with a buffer of 20-25 kg for safety. 4. Cushioning and deck comfort: Opt for the best treadmill for home use in India that features a well-cushioned deck. It reduces joint impact and supports longer, injury-free workouts. 5. Features: Look for speed settings, incline options, heart rate sensors, and smart connectivity for a personalised experience. 6. Noise level and portability: Opt for quieter models with transport wheels if you need to move or store it regularly. Similar articles for you: International Yoga Day Sale: Yoga mats, blocks, wheels and more at up to 70% off to level up your practice International Yoga Day 2025: 7 yoga equipment that can help you deepen every pose Best 2kg dumbbells for beginners (2025): Start your fitness journey with our top picks Frequently asked questions Is a treadmill good for weight loss? Yes, consistent treadmill workouts help burn calories, improve metabolism, and support fat loss. It is an effective cardio tool, which helps weight management when combined with a healthy diet. Can treadmills improve heart health? Absolutely. Regular walking or running on a treadmill strengthens your heart, improves blood circulation, and helps lower blood pressure. It can reduce the risk of heart disease over time. Are home treadmills suitable for beginners? Yes, many treadmills offer beginner-friendly settings, low speeds, and preset programs. They are perfect for gradually building stamina, joint strength, and confidence, right in your comfort zone. What are the benefits of incline training on a treadmill? Incline walking mimics uphill terrain, burns more calories, strengthens leg muscles, and improves cardiovascular endurance, all while being easier on the knees than running on flat surfaces. Disclaimer: At Hindustan Times, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Hindustan Times has an affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, with respect to the products. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority.
